This story was last updated at 7:25 p.m. on Feb. 28. Read additional coverage here.

A wildfire burning southwest of Chautauqua on Saturday prompted an evacuation warning and a large emergency response before being partially contained. The Bluebell Fire was initially estimated at five acres but was later mapped at about 1.5 acres and was 100% contained as of around 6:30 p.m. More than 100 firefighters responded, helicopters made water drops, and hundreds of hikers were evacuated from nearby trails. No injuries were reported.

Here are photos of the fire an the response from the Boulder Reporting Lab team.

Bluebird wildfire burns southwest of Chautauqua on Feb. 28, 2026. Credit: Brooke Stephenson
Helicopter drops water on the Bluebell Fire southwest of Chautauqua as crews work to contain the blaze on Feb. 28, 2026. Credit: Brooke Stephenson
Fire crews staged near Chautauqua as firefighters responded to a wildfire burning in Boulder on Feb. 28. 2026. Credit: Brooke Stephenson
Smoke from the Bluebell Fire seen from Ninth Street and Canyon Boulevard in Boulder on Feb. 28, 2026. Credit: Brooke Stephenson
Residents watch the fire burn from the base of Chautauqua. Credit: Brooke Stephenson
Residents watch the Bluebell Fire burn from the base of Chautauqua in Boulder on Feb. 28, 2026. Credit: Brooke Stephenson
Police and fire crews staged near Chautauqua as firefighters responded to a wildfire burning in Boulder on Feb. 28. 2026. Credit: Brooke Stephenson
Bluebird wildfire burns southwest of Chautauqua on Feb. 28, 2026. Credit: Brooke Stephenson
Evacuation warning area for Bluebell wildfire that was issued at 1:25 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2026 and later lifted. Via Boulder Emergency Operations Center

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  3. I was disturbed by all the looking-loos that illegally parked along both sides of 12th Street. It would have been difficult for another fire engine to go up to the fire on the street designated as the main emergency access road up to Chautauqua. We were very fortunate that the winds from previous days had calmed down or there would have been a lot of houses destroyed. Thank you to the firefighters and police!

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  4. Thanks for the great photos Brooke. Also, I am so impressed with speed of the fire containment by all the responders.

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